Hepatitis A Transmission

Hepatitis A is a virus most commonly spread by eating food which is contaminated by the faeces of an infected person as a result of poor hygiene. For instance it is possible to contract this strain of hepatitis by eating food which is prepared by someone who has not washed their hands properly. You can also contract it from drinking contaminated water or eating raw fruit or vegetables which have been washed in contaminated water. Eating seafood which has been fished for in contaminated water also leaves you open to the risk of hepatitis A.

It is typically found in places of high poverty, which are overcrowded and have limited access to clean water and sanitation.

Back at home in the UK, there are several ways you can catch hepatitis A.

These include:

• Having unprotected sex with a man who has sexual relations with other men.

• Injecting illegal drugs with contaminated needles

• Working with sewage

• Working in institutions where you are in contact with groups of people with poor hygiene

• If you have haemophilia, a blood clotting disorder you will also need to take special care as they often require a type of medication called a clotting agent, derived from human blood which can become infected at times with Hepatitis A.

• You should also take special care if you work with, or are in contact with primates as these animals can carry the virus.

If you are in any of the groups above you should seek to get vaccinated against hepatitis.